I.—2a

4

Mr. G. M.

Mr. G. M. O'Eobke, M.H.E., examined. 15. The Chairman.'] The Committee is engaged on the subject of the Mangere Bridge, with reference to the charge which has been made by the Government against the vote of £60,000 to be expended in the North of Auckland. Are you aware whether it was the intention of the Government, in the first instance, to charge the cost of that bridge against the particular £60,000 set apart for roads and works North of Auckland ?—I never heard that it was the intention of the Government so to charge it until after last Session, when I went to Auckland. IG. You were a member of the Government at the time that the work was entered into ? —Tes, and I took a great deal of interest in the carrying out of the work. 17. Did you ever suggest to the Government what vote it should be charged against ?—The resolution of the Provincial Council was that it should be charged against the £-100,000 set apart for roads in the North Island, under "The Public Works and Immigration Act, 1870," and this resolution was submitted to the General Government, and I, as member for Onehunga, urged the Government of the day to accede to the wishes of the Council, and they finally determined that the work should be undertaken. That was before the present Government came into office. 18. Then you understood it was to be charged against the £340,000 which would remain of the vote of £400,000, after the £60,000 set apart for roads and works for the North of Auckland had been deducted ? —Tes. 19. Is there any record of that arrangement to be found in the Public Works Office ?—The only record is the resolution of the Provincial Council. (The resolution as appended was then read.) 20. Is that the resolution you refer to ? —Tes. 21. Mr. Pearce.] Had that resolution been passed by the House, to the effect that £60,000 of the £400,000 should be expended north of Auckland, when the resolution of the Council was passed ? — Tes. 22 Then it was clearly understood by tte Council that the cost of the bridge was not to be charged to that sum ? —Tes ; such a thing was never contemplated. I speak from personal knowledge, because I drew up the resolution myself. 23. Was the work commenced before you left office?—Tes ; while I was in office I was resident in Auckland, and I had to communicate with the Provincial Government, at the request of my colleagues, about inviting tenders ; but I never gave any intimation to the provincial authorities, nor received any intimation from my colleagues, that the cost of the work would be charged to the £60,000. 24. Then you are not aware that the Superintendent and Provincial Secretary of Auckland had been told by Mr. Eichardson that it would be so charged?—No, I am not aware of that. 25. Mr. J. Shephard.] Did you become aware of the fact before you left office ? —No, not till afterwards. The work was authorized during the Premiership of Mr. Waterhouse, who was at that time also acting as Colonial Treasurer, during Sir Julius Vogel's absence in Australia. Mr. Eeynolds also was absent at the time. He might be able to give you information as to how it was intended to be charged. 26. Son. Major Atkinson.] Had Ministers never decided how it was to be charged ?—Never, except out of the £400,000. The following is a Cabinet minute having reference to the subject:— " In Cabinet, February 20th, 1873. —Tenders for Mangere Bridge. —The tenders being all in excess of the Engineer's estimate, it was decided to accept the lowest, but subject only to a recommendation in its favour from the Superintendent and Executive of the province ; the necessary Proclamation to be issued prior to the commencement of the work." I have a distinct recollection that the Minister for Public Works would not undertake it without the concurrence of the provincial authorities of Auckland. 27. Tou have no recollection of any difficulty as to where the cost was to be charged if they had agreed to it. —No ; I certainly never expected it was to be charged against the £60,000 set apart for roads and works North of Auckland.

o'B,orTce,M.B.n.

19th Aug. , 1875

APPENDIX-MANGERE BRIDGE. The following Papers were handed in by Mr. John Sheehan, M.H.E., during his examination, 19th August, 1875. [Extract from the Journals of the Auckland Provincial Council, Session XX.VII., 30th Noveinher, 1871.] Sesolved —" That, in the opinion of this Council, it is desirable, in order that the district of Mangere should be benefited by the proposed railway to Onehunga, that a bridge should be erected connecting the two places. " That a respectful address be presented to His Honor the Superintendent, requesting him to recommend the General Government to undertake this work under the scheme of public works sanctioned by ' The Immigration and Public Works Act, 1870'; and to inform them that this Council approves of a toll being levied for the use of the bridge, to meet the interest and sinking fund on the cost of the construction, and that this Council will provide out of the provincial revenue any deficiency that may arise in the requisite amount of such interest and sinking fund. " That this Council respectfully requests his Honor to negotiate with the General Government on the above terms, or such other terms as he may think fit, for the immediate commencement of the work; and, further, this Council requests His Honor to co-operate, as far as it is in his power, in carrying out the work."